Press Release Overview
On November 4, 2026, former French Prime Minister Jean‑Pierre Raffarin visited the headquarters of Sodexo China in Shanghai. The visit was organized by PRNewswire and the Sodexo China leadership team welcomed him warmly. Raffarin, who served as France’s Prime Minister from 2002 to 2005, currently chairs La Fondation Prospective & Innovation and co‑chairs the Sino‑International Entrepreneurs Federation. He was appointed Special Representative of the French Government for China in 2018 by President Emmanuel Macron and received the People’s Republic of China Friendship Medal in 2019 for his work promoting bilateral cooperation.
Sodexo China Profile
Sodexo entered the Chinese market in 1995 and has grown to a workforce of 18,400 employees operating across 1,000 sites nationwide. The company serves over 1.2 million consumers daily in sectors that include corporate, healthcare, education, and sport & leisure. As a core member of the Franco‑Chinese Business Council (established 2018), Sodexo collaborates with roughly 70 % of the council’s member companies, reinforcing its position within the Sino‑French business community.
Sodexo Group Highlights
Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2026. The Group reported €24 billion in fiscal‑2026 revenue, operates in 43 countries, and employs 443,000 people worldwide as of August 31, 2026. Its market capitalization stood at €8.3 billion on October 22, 2026. Sodexo is listed in several indices, including CAC Next 20, Bloomberg France 40, CAC SBT 1.5, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI.
Strategic Emphasis of the Visit
During the meeting, Raffarin praised Sodexo’s deep roots in the Chinese market and its role in fostering cultural exchange through service activities. He highlighted that people are at the heart of the service industry and that respect for individuals and cultural differences, together with a strong service spirit, are essential for competitive positioning in China. He also stressed the importance of strategic collaboration with clients and ecosystem partners to advance sustainable solutions, ensuring that technology and innovation serve people and deliver lasting value.
Forward Outlook
Sodexo reaffirmed its commitment to continued growth in China, positioning itself as a bridge for business exchanges between China and France and aiming to set a new paradigm that integrates business value with responsible corporate citizenship.
Disclaimer: This press release is provided under an arrangement with PRNewswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the content.